Metric and Imperial or should I pick just one?

[tde44]

In a sci fi novel that I'm working on (strong on the science part) I am debating whether to stick with just metric or go with both for weights and distances.

For example, if I refer to a distance is it better to list something like:

10,000 km
-or-
10,000 km (6,000 mi)

in the text?

Part of me wants to list it with both but I don't know if that's a turn-off to readers.

What say you?

 

[ckatt]

I'm inclined to say just metric as that's what used mostly by the scientific community even in the USA. But what about the characters in your story, would they be thinking in metric or imperial? The other question is do you think that your readers won't be able to understand without both?

 

[.matthew.]

I'd say metric for the same reason - it's generally accepted as the standard in sci-fi.

As a Brit, I'd say use both but for different things just to confuse people.

 

[Joshua Jones]

I think it really depends on your target audience. If your audience primarily uses Imperial (say, Americans), you'd be better off only writing in Imperial, and if they primarily use metric, use metric. But whichever way you go, be consistent unless the plot demands otherwise.

As a Brit, I'd say use both but for different things just to confuse people.

I could see myself doing this... short distances in meters, long ones in miles, atmospheric temperature in Kelvin just because, and an invented measurement of time...

 

[JimC]

I don't care which.
For example, if you ask me the wingspan of Quetzalcoatlus northropi, I am likely to say 10 meters, plus or minus a foot.
(it actually varies more than that, depending on where they are in the flapping cycle)

 

[-K2-]

I'm a 'none of the above' vote.

IMO, it doesn't matter what scientists, governments, or nations of your target audience uses... what would your characters use?

In my current project--which takes place in a dystopian U.S.--the mapping system uses metric because the character who designed it wanted something easily fractioned. The protagonist thinks in metric having lived in S.E. Asia much of her life, but she often performs conversions for dispatchers. Dispatch characters (radio communications and command) though the grids are laid out in metric distances, speak in yards/miles since most are U.S. citizens. The varied characters that make up the general population, however, only think in terms of 'blocks or paces,' having forgotten distances and all living in a massive city. The narrator, mentions things in either imperial or metric dependent upon the subject and sometimes even supplies conversions.

Past that, I stuck with standard 24-hour time because the metric conversions were too difficult...

K2

 

[Joshua Jones]

I'm a 'none of the above' vote.

IMO, it doesn't matter what scientists, governments, or nations of your target audience uses... what would your characters use?

In my current project--which takes place in a dystopian U.S.--the mapping system uses metric because the character who designed it wanted something easily fractioned. The protagonist thinks in metric having lived in S.E. Asia much of her life, but she often performs conversions for dispatchers. Dispatch characters (radio communications and command) though the grids are laid out in metric distances, speak in yards/miles since most are U.S. citizens. The varied characters that make up the general population, however, only think in terms of 'blocks or paces,' having forgotten distances and all living in a massive city. The narrator, mentions things in either imperial or metric dependent upon the subject and sometimes even supplies conversions.

Past that, I stuck with standard 24-hour time because the metric conversions were too difficult...

K2

This bring up a really good point I probably should have expanded upon. Much of this question depends on if you are writing an omniscient narrator, close 3rd, or first person. If omniscient, then stick with what your target audience normally uses, as they aren't bound to the limitations of the character. If close 3rd or first, then what the character uses is the best approach. This, of course, also depends on the needs of the plot. Say, for example, the plot has a planetary probe impact onto the surface of Planet X because of one group of engineers using metric and the other using imperial...

 

[Brian G Turner]

IMO the focus is what readers would be more familiar with. The US is the biggest reading market, and imperial measurements are ordinary there. Additionally, even in Britain - which is supposedly metric - imperial measurements such as miles are commonly used.

So, I use miles because it doesn't make the majority of readers stop and try and figure out the relatively size of the unit of measurement being used. However, on saying that, metric units when used in space could help make a setting look more different.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Metric.

 

[The Big Peat]

If you want to go deeeeeep, then do what K2 said.

If you want to make your life easy, metric.

If you want an easy life but fancy being nice to the Americans (it is their special day after all), do metric but convert it to Imperial in their editions.

 

[Land Under Wave]

I do metric for sci-fi, imperial for fantasy. At least so far. Haven't come across any difficulties yet....

 

[Joshua Jones]

IMO the focus is what readers would be more familiar with. The US is the biggest reading market, and imperial measurements are ordinary there. Additionally, even in Britain - which is supposedly metric - imperial measurements such as miles are commonly used.

So, I use miles because it doesn't make the majority of readers stop and try and figure out the relatively size of the unit of measurement being used. However, on saying that, metric units when used in space could help make a setting look more different.

So what you're telling me is that I don't need to convert to metric when mentioning distances and temperatures here on Chrons?

Kidding aside, this is an important point. If the goal is to sell novels, rather than merely write them, keeping in mind the target audience is something which must be done. That said, I think most Americans have a basic idea of metric units of distance measure. Where we tend to struggle more is Celsius, as 100F sounds much higher than 37C.

 

[Biskit]

IMO the focus is what readers would be more familiar with. The US is the biggest reading market, and imperial measurements are ordinary there. Additionally, even in Britain - which is supposedly metric - imperial measurements such as miles are commonly used.

Although for a British audience, age might also be a factor. I'm of that particular vintage where metrication was just coming in when I was at school, and having pursued a scientific career, metric is my professional default. However, well into the 80s, a lot of diy materials were sold in imperial measures, and even now the standard timber sizes are wacky things like 1.8m or 2.4m, which in the 80s were certainly described at my local builder's merchant as 6 and 8 metric feet. As for plumbing - 1/2" and 3/4" are still used as standard tap joint sizes.

I'm currently working with box-section aluminium for structural frames in some of the outbuildings here. I'm primarily using 2"x3" cross-section, and they really mean that. However, the notional 2"x4" is 50mmx100mm.

Fortunately, all my rules and measures show both systems.

For my parent's generation, the metric conversion is still very flaky. I imagine that if you asked my Dad which was larger spanner, 11/32" or 21/64", he'd probably tell you without thinking about it because he grew up dealing with things in fractions of an inch, whilst I have to go away and do the arithmetic.

The younger generation - no idea.

 

[-K2-]

I'm currently working with box-section aluminium for structural frames in some of the outbuildings here. I'm primarily using 2"x3" cross-section, and they really mean that. However, the notional 2"x4" is 50mmx100mm.

Funny you say that. Assuming you mean as in a 2x4 aluminum piece, ere in the U.S. uhv Merica, it's 2 x 4" with minor production tolerances. Structural framing is usually steel and sized like this: Structural Studs | ClarkDietrich Building Systems , and wood products are below:

A true 2x4 that is 2x4 is the rough sawn item. Hard to find except at a saw-mill not your typical lumberyard.

K2

 

[Biskit]

Funny you say that. Assuming you mean as in a 2x4 aluminum piece, ere in the U.S. uhv Merica, it's 2 x 4" with minor production tolerances. Structural framing is usually steel and sized like this: Structural Studs | ClarkDietrich Building Systems , and wood products are below:

A true 2x4 that is 2x4 is the rough sawn item. Hard to find except at a saw-mill not your typical lumberyard.

K2

Ah, what I was meaning was that the supplier does aluminium in clear imperial sizes, so the 2x3, when I measure with my steel rule, is 2" by 3" +/- something so small I can't detect it by eye, but the notional 2x4 is a clear metric size 50mm by 100mm +/- zilch. All part of the wacky patchwork world of sizes in "metric" Britain.

Since these are extruded sections, I assume that it all depends on where the manufacturer buys their dies from.

 

[Ambrose]

I seem to recall that one Mars probe missed the target because it was sent instructions in Imperial, but the onboard computer was using metric. Or vice versa.
We do tend to use what we are familiar with. But for books, surely the potential audience has to be considered.

 

[sknox]

When will the story require referencing standardized measures? What's the setting? SF or fantasy? Pseudo-Earth or something entirely different?

Having context will help get useful replies.

 

[Overread]

The important thing isn't the unit of measurement, but what that unit of measurement conveys to the reader. This includes considering the setting and what fits the setting. If you were writing a medieval story and your characters were using meters it would feel "wrong" to many readers.

The key is that most people won't get a tape measure out and start measuring your space ship parts to see if it all fits together; you only need to convey a general sense of proportions and size relative to the surroundings within the story so that the reader can create a sense of the situation. Often as not this might mean that even if you use a measurement, you might then have to back it up with how its presented so that the reader gets the idea.

For example you might say in miles how far a horse and rider galloped. Now you might research the sensible distances and the general fitness and level of fatigue and such on a rider and horse. So you might well have a decently accurate measurement for how far they can go and what impact the distance will have on them. However you have to convey this to your reader because you have to go with the chance that the reader won't have a clue about horses to be able to predict the results. At least the first time in the story.
So the distance and the unit of measurement becomes rather arbitrary. It doesn't matter if its miles, meters or parsecs. The key is that you fit the word use to the story and setting; remain consistent through the story and reinforce the technical with descriptive (at least the first few times, reinforcing it with shorter reminder elements later).

 

[Joshua Jones]

I seem to recall that one Mars probe missed the target because it was sent instructions in Imperial, but the onboard computer was using metric. Or vice versa.
We do tend to use what we are familiar with. But for books, surely the potential audience has to be considered.

I... may... have been referencing that exact situation... Funny thing is, if we included that specific situation in a Hard-SF, it would probably get dinged as unrealistic...

 

[Cydramech]

How about letting your characters use the measurement system they prefer to use, and throwing in the converted measurements for the other system (or adding converted measurements for both systems if you're using something entirely different)? That way, both the imperial and metric system bases are covered while still having a sense of immersion. (But if I had to choose one, I'd go with metric because that's what my characters will be using.)

That said, I think most Americans have a basic idea of metric units of distance measure. Where we tend to struggle more is Celsius, as 100F sounds much higher than 37C.

For me, it's the opposite - which might be due to my background with computer management. I have a better relation with Celsius than I do with Meters.